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Kendall Pollard ‘full go’ at practice for Dayton Flyers

Kendall Pollard ‘full go’ at practice for Dayton Flyers

Dayton coach Archie Miller speaks at A-10 Media Day on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. David Jablonski/Staff

PITTSBURGH

Dayton Flyers coach Archie Miller feels better about Kendall Pollard’s health at this point in the season, four days before the Red and Blue Game, than he has at any point this season.

Speaking at Atlantic 10 Media Day on Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena, Miller said, “About four weeks ago, we really turned up the crank on him and started to test him physically to see what he’s been able to handle. Each week that went by, he’s progressed to more and more. He’s had two light practices at full go the last two days. I don’t have any text messages or voice-mails that said he walked in there today and was hurting. So he’s progressing without having a setback. That’s the best we can ask. In terms of him starting to play and have no limits and all that, we’re still in a gray area, but my hope would be he’s ready to start our season.”

Pollard underwent wrist surgery in April and knee surgery in May. He was injured throughout most of the second half of the season.

Miller said they have limited Pollard to an hour of full-go practice, and he doesn’t know yet if Pollard will play Saturday in the Red and Blue Game at UD Arena. He was cleared to practice when Miller felt he was in good enough shape.

“For four weeks, we had him on the court and really started to wear him out conditioning wise,” Miller said. “We got his weight down to about 230, which is the goal to practice. I’m going to try to get him about 5 more pounds if we can. I want him to play as light as we can as since he’s been in Dayton. I think it’s good for his body, and I think he’ll be quicker. Just in watching him play, he’s not the Kendall we’re accustomed to seeing, but he is Kendall, and it’s been a big jump in practice having him around.”

Dayton freshman Trey Landers has missed three or four practices with a sprained foot, Miller said, but the coach was hopeful he’ll be able to play in the Red and Blue Game.